Looking at huge loss of jobs and multi-crore investments going waste, the Kerala government on Wednesday said it would enforce the ban on flex boards in a phased manner. Earlier this month, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had declared a complete ban on flex boards in a single sweep among steps to contain the plastic menace. Chandy had kicked off the campaign against flex boards by tearing away a board with his image. A month into the drive, the government was seized off the practical difficulties in ushering a flex board-free world in one go. The entrepreneurs in flex manufacturing and hoarding industry had raised concerns about the knee-jerk decision of the government which synched with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swacch Bharat Mission. But it was after the ban that the government appointed a cabinet sub-committee to study whether there should be a total ban or not. On Wednesday, Chandy said his government would consider the concern of investors and employees in the sector. Hence, the flex ban would be introduced in a phased manner. "There should be strict restrictions about installing flex boards in public places. The local bodies should remove all illegally erected boards. The government departments would not go for flex boards in promoting events," said Chandy. The All Kerala Sign Printers' Association said the state has 1,800 units engaged in flex printing. "Even a small unit would require investment of Rs 30 lakh in machinery alone. There are units which have equipment worth Rs 1.50 crore. From 10 to 40 persons are employed in units depending upon the size," said C Sreeni, the association spokesperson in Kochi . He said a major chunk of the employees and investors are youngsters since the industry has boomed only in the recent years. "We are against defacing public places. But the flex boards should not be viewed from that point alone as the sector is an integral part of outdoor publicity." He said investors are worried about the unexpected decision, which would make hundreds of youths jobless and risk investment. Flex boards have virtually defaced public places in Kerala. It has been a fashion for political leaders and organisations to raise flex boards; most of them appreciating themselves for some decisions or local projects.
